I'm back...
I received a message from Marty today threatening to defriend me if I didn't finish the friggin story. Since my friends are few and far between, and she's like the only one who's as crazy as I am, I will take no chances.

A new piece of the story will go up today.

Thank you for your patience. You're a great group of bloggers.

I love ya,

RDD

My apologies...
Since Saturday I have become engrossed in an issue that requires my full attention at present. I feel horrible about leaving you hanging, and I promise to return really soon. Have no worries, everything is fine. I'm simply off on another one of my "adventures". Perhaps I'll have another story to tell...

Check this out and pass it on...Especially all ya'll living in CA

Up later today, a new entry in the Smell of Fear, or a queer essay topic. Haven't decided yet.

No story today
I went to type up my entry and had a good bit done and then wa la, it was deleted. I'll take that as a sign that I need to start over. Plus, I am out of time. I actually have something to do today. So, no entry today. Sorry.

Man, Karma's a killer...

Sincerely,

RDD

Queer Essay Topic Thursday...submitted by Trillian
"Mental Radio"
I always have at least one song playing in my head.

Just recently, I've realized that sometimes, this may be an effort by my subconscious mind to communicate something to me.

For instance, the other day as I was driving along in a daze, a rather obscure song "Lemon Tree" by Fool's Garden started playing in my head. Just as I obliviously sped past my exit, the lyrics reached the point

"I'm driving around in my car
I'm driving too fast
I'm driving too far..."

The day I found out that the man who (I thought) was the love of my life was getting married, Harry Connick Jr had been in my head singing "But Not For Me"

When my sister called to tell me she was expecting her first child, the instant the phone rang my mental radio tuned to the John Lennon lullaby "Beautiful Boy."

And as I sat in my Doctor's office as he told me I needed exploratory surgery because they couldn't figure out what's wrong with me, I heard Matchbox 20 singing "I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell"

So, have you ever heard a song, mentally or not, at a particularly opportune moment?

If your life had a soundtrack, what would the theme song be?

Queer Essay Topic Thursday
From Bubba's idea and in honor of Valentine's Day, please submit your "ideal" conversation heart message.

As an alternative, suggestions for Valentine's Day gifts, ideas for a special evening, etc. are welcome. Please!

C U LATER,

RDD

Queery Essay Topic Thursday...
Query Letters

Today is your chance to write a Query letter. Describe to me your idea for a movie plot that will star Ben Affleck and resurrect his career to his Oscar glory days. If you don't know what a query letter is, read here Query Letters I love.

I can't wait to read what you all come up with.

Up next week, in recognition of Valentine's day, will be Bubba's "Conversation Hearts".

Stay tuned tomorrow for a new entry in The Smell of Fear, along with the actual pictures Marty took. It will be an eye opener...

Good Afternoon...
I wanted to take a moment to announce a new blog, er, I mean blarg. It appears Nelson, Gus's friend, will be keeping a blarg, and he would like to cordially invite you, one and all, to his new domain.

Nelson's Blarg

The link is above, and I have provided a permanent link in the left hand margin. (And no, that wasn't a hand crack, Gus.)

Please visit Nelson and help him feel warm and cozy in his new digs.

Sincerely,

RDD

P.S. A new "Smell of Fear" entry will go up this afternoon.

Queer Essay Topic Thursday...submitted by feenxc
a few days ago, i was sitting out back of work, taking a short break. i was just staring off into space, emptying my mind and ignoring my surroundings, when i noticed this cloud that looked just like a chick. kinda cool. the next one to blow by looked like a dolphin, jumping out of the ocean, at the peak of it's leap, with that perfect curve to it's back. absolutely beautiful.

the next one suddenly caused concern. for right before my eyes, i watched \/\/ \/\/. go by. and yes, my mind supplied the third \/\/.

so my challenge to you is to go look out the window, or open the front door, or walk out onto the porch, and tells us what you see. it could be a cloud formation, that snowman in the neighbors yard that resembles some kind of phallic symbol, your neighbors themselves, anything. just go look, use your imagination, come back and talk to us. go ahead, you can do it... walk away from the puter, go on... dare ya!


Administrative note: I'll be right back. I gotta go look out my front door....

Chat@Vat. Part II: By Janis...

In 1995 in commemoration of 100 years of Cinema the Vatican issued a
list of its "great films" to celebrate what it viewed was best about
the medium. For this the Vatican created a committee, which ultimately
came up with three categories in order to create its top 45 list. The
three categories were: "Religion", "Values", and "Art". The best film
list is listed below after the vat chat...

Note: The following chat is a work of fiction. None of it is true.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: RANCE has joined the conference.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: WILDCARDINAL has joined the conference.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: GIGGLEPRIEST has joined the conference.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: MONK'S_UNCLE has joined the conference.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: VATMAN has joined the conference.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: SAINT_MISBEHAVING has joined the conference.

RANCE: What'd you guys think of the boss's request to come up with a
top 45 film list?

WILDCARDINAL: Hmmmm

GIGGLEPRIEST: i like it. it was about time. if you know what i mean....

RANCE: It's gonna be tough though coming up with a suitable list.

SAINT_MISBEHAVING: Why?

RANCE: How are we gonna determine what goes in and what doesn't?

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: SAINT_MISBEHAVING has left the conference.

MONK'S_UNCLE: Rance, why don't you admit that you're JP2?

RANCE: Me?

MONK'S_UNCLE: Yeah, you! LOL.

RANCE: LOL. What happened to "saint_misbehaving"?

GIGGLEPRIEST: lmao

MONK'S_UNCLE: don't know.

GIGGLEPRIEST: Rance, don't deny!!!!

GIGGLEPRIEST: LMFAO!!!!

VATMAN: ROFLOL!!!

RANCE: Sorry, can neither confirm nor deny...

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: SISTER_JANIS has joined the conference.

RANCE: There you are. What happened?

SISTER_JANIS: Sorry guys I got booted out...

RANCE: Is your yahoo misbehaving? You logged on as Janis?

SISTER_JANIS: LOL. oops didn't realize. Oh well...

RANCE: LOL. Okay, back to business... We need to come up with a
rating system first.

VATMAN: I know one!

RANCE: Bring it on!

VATMAN: Rated R for "religious"

GIGGLEPRIEST: How about rated G for GOD? lol

MONK'S_UNCLE: Rated MO for morally offensive. lol

SISTER_JANIS: How about rated XXX for you know what...

RANCE: lol

GIGGLEPRIEST: ROFLOL!!!

VATMAN: The #1 must see movie has to be "Passion of the Christ"!

SISTER_JANIS: I agree. Rance tell us about Janet.

RANCE: No guys, this ain't the forum to discuss Janet.

MONK'S_UNCLE: Oh c'mon Rance, don't be a p....

RANCE: Me?

MONK'S_UNCLE: Yeah, U!

GIGGLEPRIEST: ROFLOL

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: SISTER_JANIS has left the conference.

RANCE: Okay, you guys ain't taking me serious today.

VATMAN: We always take you serious.

RANCE: Where did now "sister_janis" go?

GIGGLEPRIEST: she left again?

WILDCARDINAL: Hey Rance, how about rated H for going to hell?

RANCE: LOL.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: LORA has joined the conference.

GIGGLEPRIEST: There she is.

WILDCARDINAL: Hey Lora what's going on with you today?

LORA: Damn that yahoo. I got booted out again. I hate yahoo!

RANCE: This time you're logged on as "Lora".

LORA: Oooops

LORA: LOL.

LORA: Sorry....

RANCE: How many screen names do you have?

LORA: I have one more....

GIGGLEPRIEST: which one?

LORA: redraspberry!

VATMAN: LMAO!!!!!

RANCE: lol

LORA: You can laugh all you want. I'll bet Rance has more than one,
too...

WILDCARDINAL: very funny guys!!!!

GIGGLEPRIEST: lol

MONK'S_UNCLE: ROFLOL

RANCE: Well I can neither confirm nor deny... but anyhow, back to
business we need to come up with a system that ain't CONDEMNING
movies but rather something that gives it a Big Thumbs Up! What'd you
guys say?

WILDCARDINAL: Hmmmm

GIGGLEPRIEST: Sort of a "pick o' the pope"?

RANCE: LOL, yes!

LORA: Sounds good to me...

RANCE: Okay well each of you come up with a list and provide good
reason as to why you chose this film as oppose to another and than
we'll merge the list together. HOw does that sound?

VATMAN: Excellent idea, RAnce!

GIGGLEPRIEST: Yes, very good. Ave, Rance!

LORA: More work! More homework I guess! But that's fine by me....

RANCE: Okay, laterus!

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: RANCE has left the conference.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: VATMAN has left the conference.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: MONK'S_UNCLE has left the conference.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: WILDCARDINAL has left the conference.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: GIGGLEPRIEST has left the conference.

SBC Yahoo! Messenger: LORA has left the conference

The Vatican's top 45:

Here's the list, followed by the name of each film's director, nation
of origin and year of release.

"Religion"

La Passion Ferdinand Zecca (France, 1903)

The Passion of Joan of Arc Carl Dreyer (France, 1928)

Monsieur Vincent Maurice Cloche (France, 1947)

Flowers of St. Francis Roberto Rossellini (Italy, 1950) Ordet/The
World Carl Dreyer (Denmark, 1955)

Ben-Hur William Wyler (United States, 1959)

Nazarin Luis Bunuel (Mexico, 1959)

The Gospel According to St. Matthew Pier Paolo Pasolini (Italy, 1964)

A Man for All Seasons Fred Zinnemann (Britain, 1966)

Andrei Rublev Andrei Tarkovsky (USSR, 1966)

The Sacrifice Andrei Tarkovsky (Sweden/France, 1986)

The Mission Roland Joffe (Britain, 1986)

Babette's Feast Gabriel Axel (Denmark, 1987)

Francesco Liliana Cavani (Italy, 1988)


"Values"

Intolerance D. W. Griffith (United States, 1916)

Open City Roberto Rossellini (Italy, 1945)

It's a Wonderful Life Frank Capra (United States, 1947)

The Bicycle Thief Vittorio Di Sica (Italy, 1948)

On the Waterfront Elia Kazan (United States, 1954)

The Burmese Harp Kon Ichikawa (Japan, 1956)

Wild Strawberries Ingmar Bergman (Sweden, 1957)

The Seventh Seal Ingmar Bergman (Sweden, 1957)

Dersu Uzala Akira Kurosawa (USSR/Japan, 1975)

The Tree of Wooden Clogs Ermanno Olmi (Italy, 1978)

Chariots of Fire Hugh Hudson (Britain, 1981)

Gandhi Richard Attenborough (Britain, 1982)

Au Revoir les Enfants Louis Malle (France, 1987)

Dekalog Krzystof Kieslowski (Poland, 1988) (this is a series of 10
one-specials).

Schindler's List Steven Spielberg (United States, 1993)


"Art"

Nosferatu F. W. Murnau (Germany, 1922)

Metropolis Fritz Lang (Germany, 1927)

Napoleon Abel Gance (France, 1927)

Little Women George Cukor (United States, 1933)

Modern Times Charles Chaplin (United States, 1936)

Grand Illusion Jean Renoir (France, 1937)

Stagecoach John Ford (United States, 1939)

The Wizard of Oz Victor Fleming (United States, 1939)

Fantasia Walt Disney (United States, 1940)

Citizen Kane Orson Welles (United States, 1941)

The Lavendar Hill Mob Charles Chrichton (Britain, 1951)

La Strada Federico Fellini (Italy, 1954)

8 1/2 Federico Fellini (Italy, 1963)

The Leopard Luchino Visconti (Italy, 1963)

2001: A Space Odyssey Stanley Kubrick (Britain, 1968)